The Blind Side: Book Vs. Movie: Must Read Book

Michael Lewis's book Blind Side is now a Hollywood movie and is coming out November 20th, 2009. The movie may end up great, but the book is a must read. While the movie will glamorize the amazing story of Michael Oher, who is currently on the Baltimore Ravens, it seems the movie will not discuss the other half what Michael Lewis wrote about.

The book features two dominant storylines. One being the Oher story which is all about his impoverished upbringing and then how a rich white family took him in and help him stay on the right path which lead to stardom. The second, and in some ways, for a sports fan the more interesting story is the examination of how the Left Tackle position has evolved over the years, specifically since the arrival of Lawrence Taylor in the 1980s and his ability to blitz from the "blind side" resulting in the need for an effective blocker. Lewis discusses how this evolution has lead to the Left Tackle being one of the most lucrative positions in not only football but in all of sports.

Of course, for Hollywood and the general public, the evolution of the left tackle is less interesting and dramatic of a story than that of Oher. However, every football fan and/or sports fan should pick up this book and focus on this story as much as the story the player himself.